Tested Positive for COVID-19?
If you are a learner at the UNM College of Pharmacy and have tested positive for COVID-19, please report it using our self reporting tool.College of Pharmacy
Bringing Back the Pack for Spring 2021
- UNM will conduct the first week of Spring term classes, Jan 18 – Jan 22, as remote instruction. This will allow students who are returning to UNM from out of state to return a week before the start of classes and continue a period of quarantine for two weeks through Jan 22, if required according to public health requirements at that time.
- After the first week, UNM will begin a hybrid term much like Fall 2020 semester.
- The Spring term calendar is posted online, but in brief:
- January 18 - Classes Start
- March 14-21 - Break
- May 10-14 - Final Exams
- May 15 - Term Ends
PharmD Curriculum Impacts
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In light of the evolving COVID-19 crisis and in an effort to maintain the health of our faculty, staff and students a decision has been made to shift the PharmD curriculum block back one week to start on Monday, March 23rd and end on Friday, May 15th.
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In addition, all core courses will be taught via distance instruction via Zoom technology.
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Laboratory courses are being adjusted to either allow some activities via Zoom or to bring students in in small groups. Because the elective courses have small enrollments, they can continue to be taught in person and students can spread out around the room.
Graduate & Undergraduate Impacts
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The 1-week shift in the PharmD curriculum does not apply to our graduate courses or our undergraduate course, these courses will have the UNM-mandated 3-week spring break.
Spring Break Travel?
Students have also inquired what to do if they have traveled over spring break. We expect all students go to: http://www.unm.edu/coronavirus/ to report all personal out-of-state travel. Use the red “Report your travel” button to access the form. The submitted information will be used by public health experts to provide you with advice and guidance upon your return to Albuquerque regarding COVID-19 exposure. Students traveling domestically or internationally to areas not rated at Level 2 or Level 3 due to COVID-19 outbreaks —and who 1) travel by air; 2) travel to areas with high rates of COVID-19 activity; 3) attend large public events— will need to closely monitor and report (by phone to their medical provider’s office or to SHAC) symptoms of fever associated with cough or difficulty breathing for the next two weeks after last date of travel.
Faculty & Staff Resources:
College of Pharmacy FAQs
The College of Pharmacy will have a modified schedule through at least Sunday, April 5th.
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Doctor of Pharmacy students – In light of the evolving COVID-19 crisis and in an effort to maintain the health of our faculty, staff and students a decision has been made to shift the PharmD curriculum block back one week to start on Monday, March 23rd and end on Friday, May 15th. In addition, all core courses will be taught via distance instruction via Zoom technology. Course IORs are preparing new course schedules with the new dates. Laboratory courses are being adjusted to either allow some activities via Zoom or to bring students in in small groups. Because the elective courses have small enrollments, they can continue to be taught in person and students can spread out around the room.
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Graduate students – courses will remain on the extended break through April 5th. Graduate students should check with their advisor regarding any completion requirements outside the classroom, such as thesis defense, comprehensive examinations, or dissertation defense. Student completing research should reach out to faculty researchers regarding research efforts during this time.
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Undergraduate course (PHRM 105) - course will remain on the extended break through April 5th and then resume via distance delivery on April 7th.
- You are all concerned about your APPE rotations and completing your requirements for graduation not to mention your own health and that of your families and friends. You may have also heard that that the SOM and CON have removed their learners from clinical rotations following guidance from the accreditation agencies for medical and nursing education. Pharmacy education’s accrediting body provided different guidance pertaining to removing student from rotations.
- Currently, the College of Pharmacy is working with our APPE sites to determine if they are allowing learners to train there. If the sites are allowing learners, we are encouraging students to continue with their APPEs. If sites have decided to not allow learners, then we have removed students from those sites and are working individually with students to see if (and that is a big if) alternatives can be designed.
- Beyond your APPE requirements, your health and safety is important to the College and we continue to consider your health and safety in evaluating all APPE modifications. As changes occur that affect your class, we will be in contact with all of you. If the changes only affect a smaller number of students, we will contact those students individually.
- As you continue your APPEs in whatever setting, I encourage you to follow good hygiene, the safety practices at that site, and provide great patient care. You are so close to becoming licensed health care providers and I am supremely confident that you can do this. If you have concerns about completing your APPEs in the current environment, please contact Dr. Hunter, but be advised that your graduation may be delayed if unable to find a suitable replacement.
If your site is no longer allowing students, please contact Dr. Hunter at tshunter@salud.unm.edu . The Experiential Office and the College are working tirelessly to find replacement rotations for students.
We ask that as the semester continues to please keep up with any online professional documentation that you can complete such as your HIPAA trainings. We understand there will be barriers to completing other types of professional documentation such as your immunizations and certifications and ask that you do not stress clinical sites trying to update medical professional documentation at this time.
At this time, all College of Pharmacy offices will be operating remotely. Please use the following email addresses to submit any needed paperwork:
- Student Affairs (Admissions and Academic Advising) hsc-pharmacy@salud.unm.edu
- Financial Aid - Janell Valdez – javaldez@salud.unm.edu
UNM Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) is a great resource for tips on managing fears and anxiety around coronavirus, additional self-help tools and has counseling services available for students by appointment (505.277.3136). An after-hours crisis counselor is also available for UNM students at 505.277.3136, option 3
You are not alone and we are here for you!
UNM Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) is your best source for immediate student healthcare access and information. SHAC has an excellent website with resources for you, including COVID-19 information and instructions.
After SHAC Hours of Operation: Call 505.260.7070. (Or call SHAC at 277.3136; select option #2.) You will reach an answering service. The answering service will page a SHAC medical provider who is available for medical problems that can be addressed over the telephone.A Few Words From Dean Donald A. Godwin
Dear Student Pharmacists,
At this time of uncertainty, I want to reassure each of you that I as well as your College of Pharmacy family are committed to your health and education. Know that any decisions we make are made with your best interest at heart. We may not have all of the answers to your concerns, but rest assured, we are working around the clock to address them.
We are in constant contact with the University, the Health Sciences Center, and the state of New Mexico in order to provide you the most current information and to ensure your safety and well-being. To stay current with COVID-19 developments and how they may impact you, please visit the following UNM and HSC websites:
As student pharmacists, you are in a position to use your knowledge and instincts to keep yourself, as well as your loved ones, safe. Continue being the health care champions I know you are and soon enough, this too will come to pass.
Sincerely,
Donald A. Godwin, PhD
Dean & Professor of Pharmacy
UNM College of Pharmacy
505-272-0907
DGodwin@salud.unm.edu
pharmacy.unm.edu